Sewer-cleaning device.



J. KELLY.

SEWER CLEANING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1912.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

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JOHN KELLY, 0F JAMAICA PLAIN, MASSACHUSETTS.-

SEWER-CLEANING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

Application filed September 9, 1912. Serial No. 719,297.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JoHN KELLY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Jamaica Plain, in the county of Suifolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Sewer-Cleaning Devices, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in sewer cleaning devices of that class in which ropes, cables, chains or the like, are utilized to move longitudinally through the sewer or pipe a valved device which in one direction of its movement permits free passage of the sewage therethrough, and which in the opposite direction closes and carries with it the sewage.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following specification, when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an end elevation of a sewer cleaning device embodying my invention, with the cable attaching means partly broken away; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on line 22- of Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal section showing a modification of the cable-attaching device.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and to the embodiment of my invention which I have there disclosed for illustrative purposes, I have there shown a sewer cleaning device having a wall, generally designated by the numeral 4, having an aperture or passage therethrough, said wall being preferably composed of two members 66, herein in the form of rings, between which there is interposed flexible means in the form of a flexible marginal flange or flap 7, -.which extends laterally from the circumference of said rings. This flexible flange or flap may be made of leather or other suitable material, but is preferably made of rubber. The flange or flap is preferably inclined toward one side of the wall 4, and preferably has a reverse curve formation, so that when the device is drawn in one direction (toward the left, Fig. 2), through the sewer or pipe, the flange or flap will line position of 'Ihe apertureli may be-opened in one direction of the movement of the device and closed in the opposite direction of movement by suitable means, preferably in the form of a check valve automatically open ing and closing, according to the direction of movement of the device through the sewer. Herein this valve is in the form of a pair of gates 8 8,-mounted upon hinges 9-9 and having their marginal portions overlapping, or lying against one face of the adjacent ring 6, in such a manner that while capable of swinging freely to an open position (toward the right, Fig. 2), they cannot swing any farther toward the left from the position illustrated in Fig. 2. These gates, it will be observed, open in the direction toward which the flange or flap 7 is inclined, and consequently when the device is drawn in the opposite direction (toward the left, Fig. 2), the gates automatically open under the influence of the sewage'and the flange or flapcontracts or recedes from the sides of the pipe or sewer, and the device passes freely through the sewer. When, however, the device is moved in the opposite direction, the gates 8 will automatically close and the flange or flap will be firmly pressed against the inner surface of the pipe, and will thus afford an exceedingly eflicient means for scraping the collections of sewage from the sides of the sewer or pipe. The device is particularly well adapted for use in performing a final cleaning operation following the operation of the apparatus disclosed in my prior Patent, No. 896,835, dated August 25, 1908.

The device may be provided with any suitable manipulating means for movingthe same to and fro within the sewer orpipe, but I preferably employ for that purpose cable attaching means in the form of two reticulated or apertured structures designated generally by the numerals lO-l0. Each of these structures may be formed of a plurality of flat bars 11, herein four in number, preferab y arranged in the form of a pyramid, a d having inwardly projecting lugs 1: to facilitate their attachment to the wall l. its a convenient means for attaching these to the wall, 1 preferably employ a plurality of bolts 13 passing through the lugs, 'llll'iIOll-Qh the rings 6, and through the flange or flap 7, thus not only securing the structures to opposite sides of the wall, but so serving to secure the rings to each other, and clamp the flange or flap thcrebetween. The other ends of each set of bars ll may be brought together and cured to one another in any suitable mannor. 1'; l? 2, l have shown the ends of the bars as being brought together upon four flat faces of a bloclr 1.4-, to which the bars are secured by bolts 15 and 16 1 assing at right angles to each. other through the block. The bolt 16 may also serve as a convenient means for attaching an eye or the like 17 to receii' a rope, cable, chain. or the like. lt will be understood that in the ap pended claims where l have used the words cable attaching means, the word cable used in its broad signification. meaning any erpii'valent flexible member. It will be observed that the bars converge toward the median axial line AA oi the device, and the eyes l'?-17 are placed upon this line so that when the cables are attached to the eyes, the force which is exerted to pull the device to and fro will be along the line fi -A, and. the le ice will consequently tend to maintain its axis substantially coincident with the axis of the sewer or pipe.

Referring; to Fig. 3, l have shown therein a modification of the cable attaching means in which l employ bars li -18 and bars 19-19,. the latter being given a quarter twist, so that the terminal portions of all four bars may be laid together l'latwise, thus permitting an eye 20 to be attached thereto by a single bolt .21 passing through all four of the bars, without the use of a block such as is shown in Fig.

ll hile l have herein shown and described one specific embodiment of my invention for illustrati purpose, and have disclosed and discussed in detail the construction and ar rangement incidental to one specific application thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere details or relatire arrangement of parts nor to its specific embodiment herein shown, but that extensive de iations may be made from the illustrated form or embodiment of the inre. t'loll, without i'leparting from the principles thereof.

llarin thus deseribtal my invention, what l claim and desire by Letters Patent to procure is:

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sewer pipe cleaning device having, in combm-ition, means comprising a pair of a a passage passage,

: therethrough, means s1 flexible means projecting laterall from between the plates of the .lirstanentioned means and having; an incline toward one side of the latter and adapted to engage the pipe at an abrupt angle thereto For directing the sewage inwardly toward said passage, and manipulating means secured to opposite sides of the first mentioned means.

A sewer cleaning device having, in coinliiination, means having a passage therethroiiigh, means for closing said. passage, flexible moans projecting laterally from the first-mentioned means said flexible means hating a reverse curve formation and being inclined toward one side of the first-mentioned means, and nmnipulating means secured to opposite sides of the first-mentinned means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN KELLY.

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ll itnesses LOUIS A. JONES, CLARA L. STUART.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, I). 0. 

